Avoiding Washing Less than Full Loads:
If you can avoid it, try not to run your dishwasher until it is completely full. Even the latest dirt sensing machines will run more efficiently when fully loaded.
Pay Attention to Your Dishwasher’s Settings:
Many dish washers (including mine) have several settings that waste a significant amount of energy.
Heat Dry: Instead of circulating your homes air throughout the machine to dry the dishes, the heat dry feature uses an energy consuming heating element to bake your dishes dry. Not only does this feature use more energy, but it can also have an adverse affect on some of your more delicate plastic bowls and cups.
Hot Water Booster or “Sanitation Mode”: Although it uses more energy, heat boosters on dishwashers actually save energy and money by allowing you to turn the thermostat down on your hot water heater. As mentioned in my article on water heater tricks, every 10 degrees you lower your hot water heater results in a 3-5% decrease in the units energy consumption.
Purchase Energy Star Rated Appliances:
The federal government has set minimal efficiency standards for various household appliances. Appliances with an Energy Star rating typically exceed these federal standards by a substantial amount. Energy Star appliances cost more money but will invariably pay for themselves in operating costs, and lower environmental impact, over their projected life spans.
Be Careful When Washing Dishes By Hand:
Don’t be fooled into thinking that you are always saving money and energy by washing your dishes by hand. Many people do not realize how inefficient washing dishes by hand can be if not done properly. Often times they end up dumping gallons and gallons of hot water down the drain without it every being used in cleaning a single dish.
To maximize the efficiency of your manual dishwashing operation, follow these simple guidelines.
1) Fill your sink with an inch or two of hot water.
2) If you have a dual basin sink, fill the other basin with cool water for rinsing soapy dishes off. If you do not have a dual basin sink a large bucket or canning pot will work.
3) Wash your dishes by hand as you normally would in the soapy warm water.
4) Towel dry the dishes and place them on a drying rack.
Related Articles:
An Explanation of how Geothermal Heat Pump Systems Work
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF): Green Building Technology
Do It Yourself (DIY) Geothermal Cooling System
Should You Pre-Buy Your Home Heating Oil This Year?
Do It Yourself Home Energy Audits
36 Ways to Reduce Your Home’s Energy Use
